Gary Clark Jr. harbinger of good things to come

Updated 1:15 pm, Sunday, March 24, 2013

Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, Express-News

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Nina Diaz of San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Nina Diaz of San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from

Arum Rae performs during the first Maverick Music Festival at La Villita.

Arum Rae performs during the first Maverick Music Festival at La Villita.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer / San Antonio Express-News

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Nina Diaz of San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Nina Diaz of San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from

during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a

Henry + the Invisibles performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Henry + the Invisibles performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined

Henry + the Invisibles performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Henry + the Invisibles performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined

Arum Rae performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Arum Rae performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

A Maverick Music Festival poster on a stack of t-shirts during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

A Maverick Music Festival poster on a stack of t-shirts during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies

San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

San Antonio's Girl in a Coma performs during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth

Shelby Reckendorf (left) helps Jim Eckenrode (right) and his wife Becky pick out concert t-shirts during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Gary Clark,Jr. CD's and t-shirs for sale during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Gary Clark,Jr. CD's and t-shirs for sale during the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth

A sell-out crowd packed the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

A sell-out crowd packed the first annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net less

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that ... more

Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

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The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net less

The Toadies perform during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that ... more

Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, San Antonio Express-News

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Toadie fans record the band on their phones during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Toadie fans record the band on their phones during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. and The Toadies from Fort Worth

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. takes the stage during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. takes the stage during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that included Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae and Henry + the Invisibles among others. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 1st annual Maverick Music Festival at La Villita's Maverick Plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Clark and The Toadies from Fort Worth headlined the event that

“It's kind of cool,” she said moments before taking the stage at the sold-out event. More than 3,000 people attended.

“They're taking the scene more seriously. I'm excited,” Diaz said.

The setting at Maverick Plaza — a large concert-style stage facing west with sufficient sound and lighting — was a hit with the diverse crowd. Fashion statements ranged from porkpie hats and fedoras to Spurs baseball caps and bandanas.

“I love the idea,” said Renee Treviño, a local attorney. “It's a perfect venue for music. People will come. I'd come to more shows, definitely. And I don't think it only has to be outside bands.”

But when it's the right band, watch out. John and Susan Berger came all the way from Dallas to see Clark, the critically acclaimed Austin-based blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter promoting his major label debut, “Blak and Blu.”

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“Gary Clark Jr. is going to be big one day,” Susan Berger said. “I wanted to see him while he's young. We had to come. We thought, 'Oh. My God! At a smaller venue would be cool.'”

Husband and wife said they'd come to see more concerts here. “This is such a nice setting,” Susan Berger added.

The music festival was co-produced by Clark's attorney and tour manager, San Antonio-based attorney Blayne Scott Tucker. He works closely with Austin-based C3 Presents.

Tucker says there is a perception that local venues are underutilized and that San Antonio is an untapped market for new music — beyond metal, conjunto and Tejano. He wants to change that.

“The main thing is to bring out the culture and the existing infrastructure,” said Tucker, 32.

“There are venues here that are being underutilized, and the music scene down here has been neglected for a long time. We want to infuse something exciting here to the city. In many ways, this is where the South begins,” said Tucker, who graduated from Clark High School.

Saturday's music began at noon with teen act Elora & Gasoline Alley and The Trees playing on the stage at Juarez Plaza at the western edge of La Villita.

“Everybody seems to be having a good time,” said Brian Palmer, a guitarist with Hour Band, an Austin band on the bill. “I haven't seen anyone not having a good time.”

Music was the focus. By the time the sun set, the Toadies had an overflow audience and opened its set with “I Come From the Water.”

“The promoters definitely kicked things up a notch from the norm,” said Grammy-winning record producer Joe Treviño.